Florida news thread (Port St. Lucie, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Gardens: vacation, work, homes)

[tablemtn]

Story link

This story is hitting the national news due to its depravity, but as someone with ties to FL, I can't help but wonder why there have been so many of these sorts of depraved crimes in Florida in recent times - things like this story, the case where the gang of kids forced another kid to rape his mother, the Sean Taylor murder, various shootings in public places, murder of police officers, the family massacred on the Turnpike last year... it gets tiring.

Anyhow, in this particular case,

A man set fire to two women, including a pregnant one, and shot a man who tried to help them during a robbery attempt Thursday at an insurance business, police said.

Leon Davis Jr., whose 30th birthday is Friday, walked into the Nationwide Insurance office shortly after 3:30 p.m. and demanded money from two female employees, Police Chief Herbert Gillis said. Davis was not satisfied with the amount of money he was given, threw gasoline on the women and set them on fire.

Davis then allegedly shot Brandon Griessman, 33, in the nose after he tried to help the women...

Yvonne Bustamonte, 26, Jane Luciono, 23, who was six-months pregnant, were flown to Orlando hospitals in critical condition, Gillis said.

Luciono underwent an emergency Caesarean section delivery, Gillis told the newspaper. The condition of the baby was not immediately known.

Why do these horrendous crimes keep happening in Florida? People claim that 'it could happen anywhere.' That's fatuous. Obviously an isolated incident of shocking violence CAN happen anywhere, but we're talking about repeated incidents, a murder rate above the national average, and an entire part of Florida society that seems to be simply sociopathic in its approach to using violence against other people.

I guess the question is, what now? What is to be done? What happens next, and what is the best way to improve this situation?

[bale002]

Originally Posted by tablemtn

Story link

Why do these horrendous crimes keep happening in Florida? People claim that 'it could happen anywhere.' That's fatuous. Obviously an isolated incident of shocking violence CAN happen anywhere, but we're talking about repeated incidents, a murder rate above the national average, and an entire part of Florida society that seems to be simply sociopathic in its approach to using violence against other people.

I guess the question is, what now? What is to be done? What happens next, and what is the best way to improve this situation?

It really is hard to prove that such incidents are Florida-specific.

But let's assume that they are. The only sociological explanation I would tender is that, while economic conditions have been changing for the worse in the US for people in the middle segments and low end of the socio-economic scale, the proportion of the change has been greater in Florida than in most other states, causing proportionally greater socio-economic stress, thus the increase in such incidents.

But, again, really hard to prove the premise. Even if statistics showing a disproportionate increase in the incidence of violent crime in Florida are accurate, there would be other, myriad, variables.

[Mike Peterson]

Originally Posted by tablemtn

Story link

This story is hitting the national news due to its depravity, but as someone with ties to FL, I can't help but wonder why there have been so many of these sorts of depraved crimes in Florida in recent times - things like this story, the case where the gang of kids forced another kid to rape his mother, the Sean Taylor murder, various shootings in public places, murder of police officers, the family massacred on the Turnpike last year... it gets tiring.

Anyhow, in this particular case,



Why do these horrendous crimes keep happening in Florida? People claim that 'it could happen anywhere.' That's fatuous. Obviously an isolated incident of shocking violence CAN happen anywhere, but we're talking about repeated incidents, a murder rate above the national average, and an entire part of Florida society that seems to be simply sociopathic in its approach to using violence against other people.

I guess the question is, what now? What is to be done? What happens next, and what is the best way to improve this situation?

Yes, it can happen anywhere. To make statements contrary to that would be fatuous.

South Carolina was #1 in violent crime last year and Tennessee and Nevada were 2 and 3.
Of course it is not good to be number 4 but to act as if Florida is the epicenter of all violent crime is ridiculous.

First thing they need to do is raise all the sentencing guidelines for all violent crimes. Then put all those inmates to work in some sort of industry that the prisons would run so that the increased inmate population would not cost us too much of our tax dollars. If they refuse to work they go hungry, I know I don't eat if I don't work. Take away the television, basketball courts, weight lifting and anything else they may enjoy.

I know there will be those that say they need to be rehabilitated. Screw that. Punish them. Make it a prison not a vacation.

[chattypatty]

I agree with Mike. Our judicial system is far too lenient on criminals.

I also resent the relentless connection made between "socioeconomic conditions" and violent crime, as if all poor people are just one paycheck away from becoming savage animals. Many poor people of all races are fine, decent, moral people. If there is a connection between crime and class, maybe the cause and effect goes in the opposite direction from what leftists would have everyone believe -- maybe when you have a criminal mentality, you refuse to work and end up poor. Unless those who use "socioeconomic conditions" are using it as a code word for "black and hispanic" -- then that's a different story. Statistically, young black males commit the majority of crimes in America (and in this story, the perp is black). Statistics are not racist, they are just facts. I don't know the racial demographics of the areas where all these Florida crimes are being committed, but that may be one answer to your question.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by tablemtn

Story link

This story is hitting the national news due to its depravity, but as someone with ties to FL, I can't help but wonder why there have been so many of these sorts of depraved crimes in Florida in recent times - things like this story, the case where the gang of kids forced another kid to rape his mother, the Sean Taylor murder, various shootings in public places, murder of police officers, the family massacred on the Turnpike last year... it gets tiring.

Anyhow, in this particular case,



Why do these horrendous crimes keep happening in Florida? People claim that 'it could happen anywhere.' That's fatuous. Obviously an isolated incident of shocking violence CAN happen anywhere, but we're talking about repeated incidents, a murder rate above the national average, and an entire part of Florida society that seems to be simply sociopathic in its approach to using violence against other people.

I guess the question is, what now? What is to be done? What happens next, and what is the best way to improve this situation?

Want to just spend the day searching the news for horrible stories to post, that's easy. Pick a subject do a google search and hit news. I don't see how any of these kinds of threads on here serve any purpose other then feed some sick need for the same ones who keep posting them. What they do is help assure someone whose life is miserable that it could be worse and in a way makes them feel better, temporally. Maybe they need to create a sub forum for the sickest news stories posters can find, but it sure doesn't belong here.

[thebigr]

Originally Posted by daveyjones

Why do you even bother putting this stuff in here ???
What are you hoping to accomplish?.

I believe many people are very unhappy and if they spread gloom they feel other people will become unhappy. They need to understand we also watch the news and this forum is for people relocating to another city or state. Crime is everywhere, always has always will be. If people think crime is bad today look at this country during and after the civil war. That was serious crime.

[thebigr]

Originally Posted by tablemtn

Story link

This story is hitting the national news due to its depravity, but as someone with ties to FL, I can't help but wonder why there have been so many of these sorts of depraved crimes in Florida in recent times - things like this story, the case where the gang of kids forced another kid to rape his mother, the Sean Taylor murder, various shootings in public places, murder of police officers, the family massacred on the Turnpike last year... it gets tiring.

Anyhow, in this particular case,



Why do these horrendous crimes keep happening in Florida? People claim that 'it could happen anywhere.' That's fatuous. Obviously an isolated incident of shocking violence CAN happen anywhere, but we're talking about repeated incidents, a murder rate above the national average, and an entire part of Florida society that seems to be simply sociopathic in its approach to using violence against other people.

I guess the question is, what now? What is to be done? What happens next, and what is the best way to improve this situation?

I thought this was a forum for people relocating to another state not a news forum. Hate to say it but crime is everywhere.

[INeedAChange]

This story is actually already posted under the thread "nightmare scenario"

[macguy]

Originally Posted by INeedAChange

Ok, I'll bite, where are the European equivalents of Detroit, Miami, E. St. Louis, Baltimore?

When someone posted where do you go to get away from this crap, you said Europe and Asia. I was responded to that statement. Tons of crime in Germany, France, heck, England even has terrorism now. Russia had the worst serial killer in history killing an estimated 500 plus people but no one ever heard about it. Your assumption that to get away from crime was to live in those places is what I was responding to. That is why I asked have you ever lived there wondering what made you think they are crime free.

[Steve_W]

Originally Posted by INeedAChange

Ok, I'll bite, where are the European equivalents of Detroit, Miami, E. St. Louis, Baltimore?

Eastern Europe difinitely is rougher than it's western counterpart but I agree, nothing like those ghettos you mentioned.